Folding Bimini Top Frame with Latching Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bimini tops on watercraft are cumbersome and time-consuming to collapse and store, often requiring multiple users due to their complex folding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A folding bimini top frame with a latching hinge system, including a release lever and a latch release mechanism, allows for easy folding and deployment, featuring a cam and cable mechanism to securely lock and unlock the frame portions, enabling single-user operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional bimini top frame is used, then the frame provides stable support and shelter, but the frame is difficult and time-consuming to collapse and store, often requiring multiple users
Solution Approach 1:
The bimini top frame is divided into multiple collapsible sections with individual latching hinges, allowing the frame to be segmented into manageable portions that can be folded independently. This segmentation enables easier manipulation and storage while maintaining structural integrity when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching hinges are designed to be dynamically adjustable between locked and unlocked states, allowing the frame to transition smoothly between deployed and folded configurations. The release levers provide dynamic control over the latching mechanism, enabling easy transformation of the frame's structural state.
2Productivity
If traditional bimini top frame is used, then the frame provides stable support, but the collapse and storage process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The latching hinges are pre-positioned and designed to engage automatically at specific points during the folding process, eliminating the need for manual alignment and adjustment. This preliminary positioning of latching points accelerates the folding operation and reduces the time required for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The release lever mechanism allows the operator to quickly disengage multiple latches in rapid succession, enabling the frame to transition through the folding process without pausing at intermediate steps. This rushing through of the folding sequence significantly reduces the overall storage time.
3Ease of operation
If traditional bimini top frame is used, then the frame structure is robust, but the folding mechanism requires assistance from more than one user
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates small manual forces into the disengagement of robust latching hinges. This mechanical mediation allows a single user to overcome the force required to collapse the sturdy frame structure without needing additional assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical advantage system requiring multiple users to manually manipulate heavy frame sections is replaced with a cam-based latching and release mechanism. This substitution reduces the direct mechanical force needed from the operator while maintaining the structural robustness of the frame.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution simplifies the folding and deployment process, allowing a single user to efficiently switch between open and closed positions, reducing storage time and effort.
Implementation Method 1
The first latching hinge further including a cam pivotally associated with the first latching hinge, wherein the cam rotates when the first latching hinge moves between the folded position and the deployed position
Implementation Method 2
The lock pin engages the first cam bore of the cam to secure the first latching hinge in the deployed and locked position
Implementation Method 3
the cable releases the releasable latch of the second latching hinge
Data Source
AI summary
A folding bimini top frame includes: first frame associated with a second frame portion with a first latching hinge, the first latching hinge movable between a folded position and a deployed and locked position, the first latching hinge including a release lever for releasing the first frame from the deployed and locked position; a second latching hinge located between the second frame member and a base of the folding bimini top frame, the second latching hinge pivotable between a folded position and a deployed and locked position, the second latching hinge including a releasable latch for securing the second latching hinge in the deployed position; and a latch release mechanism in communication with the first latching hinge and the releasable latch of the second latching hinge, wherein the releasable latch of the second latching hinge is released by the latch release mechanism when the first frame portion is released from the deployed and locked position.